March 23, 2026 9:50 a.m. 

An Azalea man was transported to the hospital after a single vehicle rollover freeway crash on Sunday.

An Oregon State Police report said just after 4:50 p.m. troopers responded to the wreck on Interstate Five southbound near the Canyon Creek summit. The 64-year-old driver of a pickup lost control causing the vehicle to go through the guardrail and into the grassy center median, where it came to an uncontrolled rest in some trees. One southbound lane of the freeway was closed for approximately three and a half hours.

The driver and single occupant of the pickup sustained serious injuries and was transported by helicopter to Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford. The vehicle sustained major damage to the passenger side as well as the front and rear. Eleven panels and eighteen posts of guardrail were damaged in the crash.

The driver was ultimately issued criminal citations for driving under the influence of intoxicants and reckless driving. The vehicle was towed from the scene.